Apnea and Respiratory Distress in the Newborn Infant

APNEA and later respiratory distress of unknown etiology are the two types of respiratory problems that are most important in the newborn period. Their physiologic background is the subject of the first part of this review. Technics of resuscitation in cases of apnea, supportive therapy in the respiratory-distress syndrome and, where possible, the prevention of both are considered in the second and third sections. Although the details of the clinical, roentgenologic and pathological aspects of respiratory problems in the newborn and their differential diagnosis will be presented in a subsequent review, a summary of the principal etiologic possibilities is given . . .